Central Otago Winegrowers Association president James Dicey said an ''exceptionally'' cool November had slowed shoot extension and vine growth. There had been few damaging frosts, however.
''The effect of this is to delay flowering by about a week. It just means everything in the season is delayed.''
The only negative effect would be that vineyards in marginal areas might not get their crop to ripen fully.
Mr Dicey said every year there was a month which ''throws a spanner in the works'' for the wine industry, but vineyards were used to dealing with weather-related issues.
''At this stage it's shaping up to be a normal year. Central Otago is characterised by extremes of climate and this year is no exception.''
Other weather events in the region included a hailstorm which caused ''very serious'' damage to localised areas in Bannockburn and Lowburn last month, and a frost which caused minor damage in the Gibbston Valley and Luggate-Cromwell Rd areas on the night of December 2.
Once shooting thinning - at present nearly completed - came to an end, vineyards could count the number of bunches on vines.
They could then be compared to previous years' bunch numbers.
Mr Dicey said bunch numbers were slightly above normal.
''That means we have good potential fruit numbers and a bit of come-and-go if there is poor fruit set or flowering in December.''
There were a lot of people in the region looking for work, which was good for the industry but most positions had been filled.
December's weather forecast was for above average temperatures, and a technical or ''just'' El Nino weather pattern for summer featuring west and southwesterly winds.
''Long-term, it means a reasonably variable but relatively warmish summer, which is what we need.''
Mr Dicey finished his account of the state of Central Otago's wine industry, saying it was in a ''really good state ... it's looking good for the region at the moment.''
